Gender stereotypes suggest that women are generally more eager to get married than men. However, researchers have found that females are also the driving force behind most divorces. About seven out of 10 divorce cases in Connecticut and around the country are initiated by women, according to a 2015 study conducted by the American Sociological Association. Analysts believe that most of these divorces are filed because of three main factors.
Gender roles and emotional labor
Gender roles have changed a great deal in recent years, but working wives are still expected to handle the lion’s share of domestic duties in most households. This can lead to women filing for divorce because they have become resentful or feel that their marriages are holding them back. Another challenge facing wives is that they are often their husbands’ sole source of emotional support. This means that men may be less willing than women to walk away from a marriage.
Less tolerant of bad behavior
One of the consequences of women becoming more financially independent is that they are far less likely to tolerate bad behavior like adultery or bullying. What previous generations may have considered part and parcel of married life will today likely lead to divorce. However, some studies suggest that women may be just less happy with married life in general. In countries where same-sex marriage has been legal for many years, marriages between two women account for almost 80% of the same-sex divorces.
Avoiding divorce litigation
Divorces filed by spouses who have been betrayed or simply run out of patience often become contentious. In these situations, experienced family law attorneys may urge the parties involved to make every effort to avoid litigation by reaching an amicable settlement at the negotiating table. When spouses can’t agree about issues such as alimony and property division, attorneys could suggest an alternative venue such as mediation.
